SOCIAL SERVICES SPECIALIST 2* - 05132025- 67769

Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH & SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES, MEMPHIS MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE, SHELBY COUNTY

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in social work, social welfare, sociology, psychology, criminal justice, human services, special education, or other related social service field and experience equivalent to one year of full-time professional social services work.

Substitution of Education for Experience: Qualifying graduate coursework in social work, social welfare, sociology, psychology, criminal justice, human services, special education, or other related social service field from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the required year of experience. (e.g., 36 graduate quarter hours in one or the combination of the above listed field may be substituted for the one year of required experience).

Necessary Special Qualifications: None.

Examination Method: Education and Experience, 100%, for Preferred Service.

Overview

Summary: Under general supervision, is responsible for professional social services work of average difficulty; and performs related work as required.

Distinguishing Features:This is the working level class in the professional Social Services Specialist sub-series, the entry level being subsumed by that of Social Services Specialist 1. An employee in this class provides guidance, advice, and application of theory in treatment to families and patients in home settings, mental health or intellectual and developmental disabilities facilities, or state and county prisons. This class is flexibly staffed with and differs from Social Services Specialist 1 in that an incumbent of the latter learns the proper principles, practices, and procedures for social services work.

Responsibilities

Making Decisions and Solving Problems:

1.Assesses individual situations by reviewing intake record, social history, referral and medical information, school/employment functioning, collateral information from families and local mental health services, and other information to determine an appropriate plan to address the needs of an individual.

Developing Objectives and Strategies:

1.Participates in the development and execution of individual treatment plans by evaluating patients' strengths, needs and goals and making treatment recommendations accordingly.

Assisting and Caring for Others:

1.Provides individual, group, and family counseling relative to social problems.
2.Makes appropriate referrals to other public and private social agencies and community resources, such as Department of Human Services, food banks, housing, child care, education, counseling centers, hospice care, and/or medical providers.
3.Counsel's patients and their families in developing and using their own potential to more adequately solve their social, health, emotional, and economic problems.
4.Arranges or schedules a variety of aftercare services subsequent to discharge such as medication management, case management, alcohol and drug follow-up, as well as coordinating placements in boarding and other homes, half-way houses, alcohol and drug treatment and/or other placements.

Getting Information:

1.Reviews intake documents, psychiatric evaluations, medical records, school records, employment record, or other relevant information to gather information needed to assess an individual's needs.
2.Interviews individuals to obtain social history, medical information, school or employment functioning, or other relevant information to determine whether eligibility for services.
3.Talks with family members, friends, outpatient providers, and others to gather information needed to assess an individual.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards:

1.May review patient charts to determine compliance with HIPAA laws.
2.May review records maintained by co-workers to check compliance with social services policies and/or standards.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others:

1.May testify in court to provide a recommendation for a plan of care outcome for an individual.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others:

1.May talk with individuals and their families to assist them in resolving conflicts.

Performing Administrative Activities:

1.Maintains a variety of records and reports normally associated with the provision of professional social services work.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work:

1.Plans and prioritizes work tasks based on scheduled events and activities, deadlines, and in accordance with social services policies.

Interacting With Computers:

1.Uses a computer to enter and retrieve information in the performance of social services work.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others:

1.Serves as liaison and coordinator between patients and their families, the community, schools, hospitals, and social services.

Documenting/Recording Information:

1.Prepares appropriate and necessary documentation for records and treatment teams including such information as intake records, social history, referrals, medical information, school employment functioning, assessments, treatment plans, treatment progress notes, pre-discharge, and discharge summaries.
2.May keep logs of communications with individuals and/or other providers to comply with in-house policies.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge:

1.Attends staff meetings, in-service training, and other available training to keep up-to-date on policies, procedures, and best practices relevant to social services.

Scheduling Work and Activities:

1.Schedules visits with individuals, families, and/or other caregivers based on the individual's plan of care and policy requirements.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates:

1.Communicates via email, in person, or by telephone with supervisor and co-workers to keep them advised of work activities (e.g., case load status, urgent care issues, or social services issues).

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization:

1.Communicates via written communications, telephone, or email to other agencies (e.g., Probation and Parole, Social Security Administration, out-patient mental health centers) to verify status of an individual.
2.Communicates via telephone, email, or in person with the service providers to exchange information necessary to assist an individual in obtaining services and to follow up on the progress being made in receiving services.
3.May write letters to employers to advise them of the limitations of an individual, confirm the reason for their absence, and provide return to work status.

Thinking Creatively:

1.May develop new programs, resources, and/or activities to meet the needs of individuals.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources:

1.In an in-patient setting, may obtain/monitor funds for patients' accounts and request expenditures as necessary to assist them in obtaining needed goods and services.

Coaching and Developing Others:

1.May provide mentoring to interns, volunteers, or others to help them increase their knowledge and skills relevant to social services.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment:

1.May operate a state vehicle or personal vehicle in the performance of job duties.

Competencies (KSA's)

Competencies:

1.Ethics and Values
2.Compassion
3.Problem Solving
4.Approachability
5.Listening
6.Decision Quality
7.Learning on the Fly
8.Composure
9.Organizing
10.Perseverance

Knowledge:

1.Intermediate knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders
2.Intermediate knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins
3.Intermediate knowledge of applicable laws, rules, and policies relative to emergency in-patient mental health commitments, conservatorships, and/or court-ordered forensic evaluations
4.Intermediate knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions
5.Basic knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, and other office procedures

Skills:

1.Intermediate reading comprehension skills
2.Intermediate service orientation skills
3.Basic skills in managing one's own time effectively
4.Basic active listening skills
5.Intermediate speaking skills
6.Intermediate writing skills
7.Intermediate social perceptiveness skills
8.Basic active learning skills
9.Basic critical thinking skills
10.Intermediate negotiation skills
11.Intermediate skills in complex problem solving
12.Intermediate judgment and decision-making skills
13.Intermediate persuasion skills
14.Basic skills in the management of financial resources
15.Basic social coordination skills
16.Basic monitoring skills

Abilities:

1.Intermediate oral comprehension abilities
2.Intermediate oral expression abilities
3.Intermediate time-sharing abilities
4.Intermediate written comprehension abilities
5.Intermediate written expression abilities
6.Intermediate category flexibility abilities
7.Intermediate deductive reasoning abilities
8.Intermediate inductive reasoning abilities
9.Ability to develop creative ways to solve a problem
10.Intermediate memorization abilities

Tools & Equipment

1. Personal Computer
2. Telephone
3. Fax Machine
4. Printer
5. Copy Machine
6. Scanner

TN Driver Standards

State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:

• A valid driver's license
• For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.

Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.

**Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.